China threatens to cancel the Xi-Trump meeting if the US approves new arms sales to Taiwan

China has informed the United States that it could cancel the meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, scheduled for September 24, if Washington approves new arms sales to Taiwan before then, according to sources cited by the Kyodo news agency. The Chinese government has not officially confirmed Xi’s visit to the United States.

Beijing considers the Taiwan issue a “red line” and “the most important issue” in bilateral relations. China claims the self-governing island and does not rule out reunification by force, while the United States supplies Taiwan with weapons to strengthen its self-defense capabilities under legislation passed by Congress in 1979.

At the summit, the leaders are also expected to discuss the conflict between the US and Iran, trade relations, reducing tariffs on goods worth $30 billion on each side, and a possible framework for dialogue on artificial intelligence safety. Washington is also seeking to persuade Beijing to limit its economic relations with Tehran.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump said he would accept Chinese automakers building cars in the United States, provided they employ American workers. The statement was criticized by lawmakers and American auto companies.